Albaner C. Eugene Jr. is a brand new breed of non secular chief who conjures up audiences globally by way of social media. He has taken his message on the highway with the “What’s The Phrase” tour, an evening of religion, spirituality and therapeutic, which makes its Apollo Theater debut in New York Metropolis on December 16.
“The complete tour is constructed round that one query,” Eugene shares with EBONY. “My objective is that everyone within the crowd can see we’re all going by way of a number of the identical, and we are able to discover inspiration within the phrase to assist folks transfer ahead and have one thing to face on.”
Right here, Eugene Jr. reveals extra concerning the tour and the way we are able to all discover religion within the phrase.
EBONY: The “What is the Phrase” tour is touring the nation. What’s all of it about?
Albaner C. Eugene Jr.: I’ve folks in my life and for those who put us all in a room, we actually can discuss, and it is all the time thrilling. They encourage me, and I hope I encourage them. I had this phrase that I’d say to them: “What’s the phrase,” which means, “How are you? What is going on on?” There is a scripture within the Bible that I like. It talks about how we do not stay by merely bread alone however by each phrase that comes out of the mouth of God. I challenged a few of our leaders to have a phrase day by day to face on that offers some inspiration and hope and retains them going. Proper earlier than the pandemic, I used to be sitting in my automobile, and I imagine God put it on my coronary heart to start out an occasion round that phrase and to provide different folks that very same encouragement.
What do visitors expertise throughout the present?
Individuals can see the relevancy, the ability, the reality and the inspiration behind the phrase of God in our technology. It begins with a cool quick movie that I created, which captures the essence of the tradition and the occasions we’re residing in. The purpose of the video is to indicate that though it might really feel like life can typically get loopy and difficult, it’s necessary to have folks and group in your life. There’s a second piece as a result of the “What the Phrase” query solely works when you might have folks in your life that you would be able to discuss to. So I chill and discuss with the visitors that come and make it a secure setting. We chortle collectively. We get their crowd engaged. After which there’s this Q&A portion that folks love.
When did you get your calling to unfold the phrase?
It was my senior 12 months…I had so many concepts, goals and visions of seeing myself collect folks collectively. My mother says that I used to be all the time encouraging as a child. She stated there have been occasions after I was a child, I’d stroll as much as her and say, “Mother, why are you unhappy,” so I believe I’ve all the time cherished encouraging folks and seeing folks smile and hold going. I like encouraging myself to maintain going. However with all of the concepts that I had in my senior 12 months, that was most likely the second after I realized I ought to take it critically.
Who attends your exhibits and what are some widespread themes you talk about?
You’ve got younger folks, dad and mom, married {couples} and singles, so many various kinds of folks wherever they’re of their lives. I’d say the widespread themes are delivering phrases that assist folks get unstuck, assist in occasions of transition and assist folks both be extra affected person or know when it is time to transfer. There are phrases for individuals who need assistance with their kids and phrases for individuals who want assist in their relationships.
What’s one encounter that’s touched you specifically?
There was a query {that a} mom had, and I did not even know she was a mother simply but. We had her come sit on the sofa. She was asking about somebody in her life who did not really feel cherished by God, did not really feel cherished in any respect and was on the lookout for assist with the ideas they get after they really feel unloved. I sat down with this mother to speak concerning the reality of the phrase and the gap God goes for us to show that love. We ended up praying for her individual. After, on the meet and greet, the lady comes up, factors to this little woman and tells me, “That is my daughter, who the query was for.” And I advised the woman, who was in her early teenagers, “Hear, everytime you need assistance, perceive how cherished you might be. Your mother didn’t should stand up in entrance of all people; she was shy, nervous, scared. However she did that as a result of she loves and cares about you. That’s the essence and sacrifice of what God did for all of us. He sacrificed all the things to show his love. Keep in mind what your mom did for you right this moment.” These are particular moments.
Not solely do you join with folks in individual, you utilize social media as a platform.
It began for me in individual. I used to be requested to be part of the youth ministry at my church, and I introduced one among my buddies. Sooner or later, we filmed me, and we posted it. These have been my first talking engagements, on YouTube. At first, I did not have a set message or notes. It began with simply me sharing my coronary heart. My content material, or no matter I am sharing, comes from my day by day strolling with folks in actual life. So many issues are birthed from these conversations and issues that I’ve realized. I all the time say that if I discover myself speaking a few widespread theme, I’d as effectively share it with the world.
What are a number of the largest points Black folks face right this moment for which the phrase may present solace?
I’ve all the time felt, when it got here to religion, that there have been not a whole lot of voices that seemed like us. And I all the time felt they did not get it. Our struggles and issues we have to convey to God are larger than another person might imagine as a result of we have traditionally been by way of a lot as a folks. My accountability as a Black voice has all the time been to not draw back from onerous questions or issues however to convey the goblet, to show traditionally how God has proven up for individuals who have been oppressed, who’ve been enslaved and who’ve been ostracized, marginalized, rejected and put down. Whether or not it’s by a authorities, a system or some evil, there’s all the time been proof of how God responds to oppression. The problem for me is all the time to remind and encourage folks of the well-known Black voices he used to perform it. To today, if they’d not moved, if they’d not determined to face up and be a voice or be an agent of change, the place would we be? Harriet Tubman had a lot towards her life statistically and biologically, however she was a large in her 5 ft. All these folks she freed, and he or she may have freed a lot extra in the event that they solely knew. There are folks all through historical past who’ve determined to face up and be a voice regardless of what was occurring in entrance of them. I see God in individuals who resolve to face up and do the issues that will appear inconceivable. If that is not a manifestation of the ability of God, I do not know what else might be.
What can folks stroll away with after experiencing your stay present?
It sounds loopy, but it surely’s virtually a assure folks will stroll away feeling impressed. With out imaginative and prescient, the folks perish. If you haven’t any inspiration, any hope, any dream or any motivation to maintain transferring ahead, you simply will not. And so folks will depart full of hope for a greater future for tomorrow, stuffed with objective and pleasure. However my favourite feeling is of peace. The expertise gives folks with a degree of peace that you would be able to’t purchase, you may’t. There is a scripture that I like: the world provides you peace, however you may lose it. However then God provides us peace that the world cannot contact or cannot take it away. It’s not me, it is not any of the panelists, it is not the flicks we create or the lights and all of the enjoyable. It is the presence of God.
